Monday, October 22, 2007

Joe Vitale, The Key

I was so excited when I finished watching The Secret. Why? Because it helped me realize that I cannot have negative feelings about anything, especially in my writing career. Positive thinking is what I need. I tried to quiet that negative voice in my head especially when I sent out query letters for my latest novel. I thought about that Infinity FX 35 that I wanted to drive. I focused on the fabulous creative job in film that I've been dreaming about. I imagined myself sitting with other imaginative people discussing how we were going to make movies from great books, starting with mine of course!

But none of what I've been wanting has yet to materialize. ReadingJoe Vitale'snew book, The Key has given me more understanding of how to get from here- driving an old car, sitting in my home office, not earning any money- to getting what I've been desiring. It's all about not fostering any negativity, because essentially we are holding outselves back by not allowing only positive thoughts and feelings.

Joe is amazing, he has an actual empire and is enjoying the good life. So what he says and writes about must work. For the next few weeks (hopefully this will become a habit by then) I want to focus on the positive, not even say one negative thing about my goals. Let's see if in a short time I'm not announcing a book deal, a new job, a new car or something else truly fabulous ...

Something I've been wondering about for a long time is this- why do bad things happen to good people?

The first problem is judging the events as "bad." Many people gain new perspectives from events called "bad,", such as getting cancer, and end up saying these events were the best thing that ever happened to them. The second insight is that we attract everything to us on an un-conscious level, to grow in awareness. Even the "bad" is there for a good reason.

You mention that the universe likes speed, I'd love to know why then I've been working for six years at getting a literary agent and it's yet to happen. At the same time, others have been working towards their own personal goals and it's not happening for them either. Why?

The block is in you, not the outer world. Some part of you may not believe you truly deserve an agent. Some part of you may believe you will not succeed. This is the point of my book, The Key: There are counter-intentions within you causing what you experience. Get clear of them and you will attract what you want, or something even better.

What is the time frame for the universe delivering our wishes/intentions/goals?

It's up to your beliefs. Do you believe it will take long? Then it will. Beliefs create reality.

So, let's say we state our goals or wishes or desires for a new car/ new job etc. What is the next step? Are we supposed to pray and think about it every day?

The next step is take inspired action. Do what you feel nudged to do. Don't just sit there and wait for the car or job to show up. Go looking for it. You only need to pray or focus on the goal again if it feels like fun to do so.

Do you really think the key to success is to not attach a single negative emotion to what we want? I cannot tell you how frustrated/upset/sad/distressed I am that I have not reached my goals. By having these feelings, am I slowing down the process?

Exactly. Those negative feelings attract negative experiences.

I want to hear about how you were once homeless…and now are such a big success! What was the turning point for you to go from being penniless to having everything you could dream of?

I did it all, not just one thing. I read, worked on myself, took action, cleared limiting beliefs, and kept following my passion. I still work on myself today. There's always more awareness to expand into.

What is your definition of happiness?

Being satisfied with this moment.

How has your life changed since The Secret came out? How were you approached to be a part of it?

Rhonda Byrne read my book The Attractor Factor and contacted me, saying she wanted me in her movie. Being in the movie has made my name more known to people in other circles besides the Internet.

Do you think religion can be integrated with the premise of The Key?

Absolutely. But a better answer is to say spirituality can be integrated, as religion is more organized and political.

Is there ever a time when you aren't thinking and planning and working? What do you do when you have free time?

I am never thinking and planning. I am following my passion. I work on my tan by pool, spend time in the hot tub every night, drive my Panoz cars for leisure, and smoke a cigar now and then. All while still writing books, traveling, speaking and more.

34 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooooooh! Great questions for Joe Vitale! Just what I would have asked him! - - I can't wait to read this book.Catherine @ 3:07 PM

Anonymous said...

These are the only kinds of questions Joe will answer. Ask him what kind of responses he got to his blog posts about the San Diego fires. Ask him why he got rid of all the comments, and didn't respond to any of the peoples questions. Dont expect to get any ansers, though. @ 10:47 AM

Harry said...

Great interview, did you say in your biog that you used to dream of living in California...?

Joe responded by hiding. He didn't address the topics of exploitation of other peoples suffering for his own profit, his phony degrees. He didn't even answer reasonable questions. He just wanted it all to go away. A "teacher" answers questions. A coward hides from them. @ 12:54 PM

First time on your blog. How great that you got a session with Joe on here! Must have been some visualizing going on here...wonderful questions!

I am starting to read Joe's work after seeing him keynote a recent conference I attended. It is intriguing to me how he pushes people's buttons. I find myself increasingly questioning my own "innate" reactions to what he writes. His "Rorschach" observation about the reactions to his CA fire blog post was right on, IMHO.

I was part of the deleted discussion on Joe's blog, and have to agree with "anonymous" to a great extent. If someone holds themselves before the public as a spiritual teacher (as does Joe), he should expect challenges and be up to the task of responding to them. Some of the posts were pretty angry, but there were a number of valid issues brought up - even those wrapped in anger - that Joe chose to eliminate, rather than address.

My biggest challenge with his post was that even an unintended implication of blame, directed at those who were still suffering was, at the very least, insensitive and inconsistent with the manner of a compassionate individual (much less, a supposed "guru").

Secondly, I (along with quite a few others) felt that his offering smacked of exploitation, by promoting the alleged efficacy of his teachings (books, workshops, etc.) using the suffering of others as a tool. Joe is an experienced marketer, having promoted many MLM programs and products over the years, and should have known how his assertions would come across to anyone not a LOA cheerleader. The responsibility of a writer is to be understood by those who aren't "in the choir," and I feel he fell far short on this.

Quite a few took issue with his presentation of himself as a doctor, using degrees obtained from well-known diploma mills as his credentials (which, by the way, is illegal in Texas - both his "alma maters" are on Texas' official list of institutions offering unqualified degrees). People wanted to know why he chose to use false credentials, and once again, if he is holding himself before the public as an authority, he should realize that questions regarding his qualifications and credibility deserve to be answered, rather than swept away with a dismissive wave of the hand or deleted outright.

If you look at the blog postings in question, you will note that the only comments he is allowing are those which are supportive of him. In my experience, a good teacher will face all questions - positive and negative - rather than eliminating those that make him or her uncomfortable. Perhaps Joe is teaching people things he never intended. His attempt to literally hide from questions, as anonymous pointed out, showed a lot of people some things he probably would rather they not see.

For the record, I've known Joe for 14 years, and while I do not wish to see him come to any misfortune, I do believe he owes it to those who would listen to him to be open and honest in his responses to them, rather than being dismissive and condescending, and to answer their honest questions and challenges. By not doing so, he is encouraging the very anger and negativity he claims to avoid. And I've told him as much, but he prefers to simply ignore any suggestions that touch a nerve.

I am aware that there are those who will excuse virtually any behavior exhibited by someone they look up to or like. For such people, the very willingness to overlook questionable behavior is something that I would suggest bears a closer look and some real introspection. @ 6:25 PM

Well, *I'm* not anonymous. And I think Joe *is* hiding, or at least skirting the issues -- which, of course, is his right. I have a feeling that some of his critics have pushed a few of his buttons, too. Maybe he can learn something from it. In any case, the criticism is not going to go away just because he ignores it. @ 6:28 PM

Kim Comer said...

Hi--I am not anonymous either and I am the President of a Chicago Book Club that once followed Vitale. My name is Kim Comer from the "Land's End" Comers and I am one of the people who had their comments deleted by Joe. Joe is indeed in denial and hiding from the truth. What he said was insensitve at best and when pointed out to him he choose to ignore and delete. He stuck his head in the sand and this is not the persona of a "spiritual teacher". There has also been many questions about his two alleged Doctoral Degrees from Belford and Sedona. I have discovered just recently that neither of these two institutions are actually accredited. So is Joe have a PHONY doctorate degrees that he has marketed and promoted all these many years. I have to believe so because Joe refuses to answer the accusation. I have personally black-balled him as a valid author of our Book Club. Joe you can run and hide but these issues will not go away. I am publishing your shameful conduct in our monthly newsletter. Thanks again for not having the courage to respond to me but to merely wave your "shyster wand" and delete me from your BLOG. @ 11:59 AM

Anonymous said...

Joes not the enlightened saint he wants to pretend he is. In his Attractor Factor audio book he tells a very interesting story about thinking positive thoughts about a friend of his and ignoring all the negative reports that the man was a sexual predator preying on women.

I guess in Joes world this is not "bad". Or maybe the poor women attracted these attacks.

Joe kept defending and promoting this person until HIS OWN WIFE got molested and her life completely destroyed.

Then and only then did Joe finally decide his friend was "evil" and maybe the negative reports were something he should have listened to.

Someone posted an audio link:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X4JG4C34

I read on another blog that this is why he divorced his wife, who spiraled down and died afterword.

He's not only a shiester, but someone who actively supports very dangerous people so long as he himself is benifiting.

He comes right out and says so in the audio if you download it.

If you have to follow someone at least follow someone with a consience. @ 1:47 PM

Anon, in the interests of fairness, we probably should not read more into this story than is already there. That's how urban legends get started.

To try to set (or keep) the record straight: An anonymous poster who commented on my blog and Lana Helmuth-Walker's blog had done a little bit of Internet research and connected some dots. This person came to the conclusion that the "lady friend" Joe talks about in "The Attractor Factor," who was molested by the therapist/healer/guru "Jonathan," was in fact Joe's ex-wife. I have no argument with that.

Here's where some confusion and (perhaps unfounded) speculation enters the picture. On the audio clip that was mentioned, Joe talks about "Jonathan's" downward spiral, mentioning that at least one of the female clients "Jonathan" molested was married, "and her relationship with Jonathan caused her to fall into depression over her own guilt."

However, you should not necessarily infer that he is referring to his ex in that case. He may be, but it would seem from the context, if you listen carefully, that he is not. After all, "Jonathan" allegedly molested/seduced many female clients. And Joe immediately follows that mention of the married client with the account of what was the turning point for him, Joe, where "Jonathan" was concerned. Said turning point came "when one day Jonathan manipulated and then molested the friend closest to me in my life at that time." He adds, "Words cannot convey how badly that hurt me."

So just from context (unless Joe is deliberately scrambling the details), it seems as if the "married lady" and Joe's "lady friend" are two separate cases. I realize the anonymous poster on my blog made a passing implication that perhaps they were one and the same, and I didn't address that in my response to him/her. So I am addressing it now.

If you listen to the aforementioned audio you'll notice that Joe does not name his "lady friend," but the subsequent experiences that he recounts -- her hospitalizations, her near-fatal car wreck, etc. -- mirror those he has publicly talked about in other forums in regard to his ex. And toward the end of the audio he says his lady friend died on October 2, 2004, which is the day his ex passed away.

On the audio, he says that for the last three years of her life, his friend was miserable, apparently in large part because she couldn't deal with the deep betrayal she had suffered at the hands of her "therapist." That would mean that from some time in 2001 to October of 2004, she was dealing with these terrible things, and so, presumably, was Joe, since they were still good friends (even though he had since moved from Houston to the Texas Hill Country and was in a new relationship).

Joe's divorce was final in January of 2001. But as far as I know he has never publicly specified when the molestation took place -- if it was when he and his ex were still living together, or after they were legally separated, or if it happened after they were divorced.

However, to my knowledge, *never* in any of his writings or speeches has Joe said that he divorced his wife BECAUSE of the Jonathan affair. (In fact, as we've noted, when he talks about the Jonathan affair he generally fails to mention that the close friend in question *was* his ex.) In any case, this is where the speculation starts getting a bit out of hand, IMO.

As far as I can tell, Joe has, for the most part, put a positive spin on his divorce, at least in public. He wrote in the e-book edition of "Spiritual Marketing" that he and his ex had grown apart and had mutually decided to separate. And in his February 2001 newsletter he wrote, regarding his divorce, "We remain best friends and totally love each other. Life is change, and this one is good. There is no animosity. We've simply decided to go down different roads. Let this be an example that even divorce, well known for being a war zone, can be peaceful and loving."

Who knows the real stories behind the stories? Some of it is probably none of our business. But the conversation and speculation on my blog has been on the seemingly contradictory and/or deceptive things Joe has said and written publicly, and is not based on any "privileged" or private information. And I agree that the audio in question is pretty damning; it seems to point to Joe supporting "Jonathan," when he possibly should have been *reporting* him. Still, I think we should be careful to avoid reading more into this than is there, as tempting as that might be in a gossip-hungry world. The real story is terrible enough, without making it worse.

Oops, I got Lana's name wrong. It is Lana Walker-Helmuth (not Helmuth-Walker). Sorry, Lana! I guess I was feeling a bit dyslexic. :-) @ 8:30 PM

bj said...

About Accreditation

Information For International Prospective Students

The founding fathers of the Unites States Of America, in order to guarantee a republic based on religious freedom saw fit to create within the founding documents of the country, a distinct division between the government and religion. This basic precept is commonly known to most US citizens as “The Separation Of Church And State”. Simply stated, this foremost principle of religious freedom is, “the government will not become involved in matters dealing with religious beliefs, or things of a spiritual nature, and no religion will seek to involve itself in governmental affairs”.

Worldly, or secular things are the domain of the US Government, while the non-secular spiritual realm of individuals and society is off-limits. Since the International Metaphysical Ministry University System of the University Of Metaphysics and the University Of Sedona is legally recognized by the United States Federal Government as a non-secular / spiritual / metaphysical 501(c)3 organization, the US Department of Education in Washington D.C. must adhere to the founding precepts of religious freedom and refrain from comment, opinion, or intrusion.

Simply stated, the International Metaphysical Ministry University System, the University Of Metaphysics, the University Of Sedona, and degrees bestowed by these organizations are metaphysical, non-secular, spiritual, and religious in nature, and beyond the US Department of Education‘s secular realm of education which teaches things like Advanced Calculus, Micro-Biology, or Bio-Chemistry.

Information For All Prospective Students

The US Department of Education, by law, can neither praise, discredit, or accredit a non-secular institution of Higher Consciousness / Spiritual Education. Therefore we offer the following list of points for consideration by individuals when choosing an institution in which to pursue their Higher Consciousness Spiritual Education.

What is the history of the Institution / Organization? We have nearly fifty years of development in research, teaching, and awarding Ministers Diplomas and Degrees. Some others have as little as only 3 years. Dr. Paul Leon Masters, the founder, is still the active president of our University System with a history dating back nearly half a century, to 1959.

Does the Institution / Organization claim accreditation of any kind?If so, our advice is run away as fast as you can. Why? One word: Integrity! Or rather, lack thereof.

Since valid and recognized accreditation in the real sense does not exist in the spiritual / metaphysical field, some institutions / organizations try to deceive prospective students and the public by attempting to make themselves look more reputable than they really are. They try to cover up their lack of reputation and established history by affiliating with an “accreditation mill”. One has to question the intentions and integrity of an institution or organization that knowingly affiliates with an accreditation mill, or the intelligence behind the institution or organization that unknowingly affiliates with an accreditation mill.

The public is currently quite aware of the term “diploma mill” – but the term “accreditation mill” is something new and is just now beginning to come to the public’s attention. We advise prospective students to avoid any institution accredited through an accreditation mill in choosing where to study and receive a degree. You would not want your reputation to be professionally blemished as such accreditation shams, and the institutions that utilize them, are featured on the nightly news in the future.

Lastly, some metaphysical schools affiliate with an accreditation agency whose focus of professionalism is quite a stretch to include the spiritual or metaphysical. If one is not careful, their degree in metaphysics may be accredited by an agency run out of a Post Office Box that has never even bothered to obtain a business license.

Does the institution / organization have actual experience in the field?Some operators have had little or no actual experience in teaching, counseling, or ministry in the metaphysical field. So with no hands on real world experience, they have simply opened up to and try to teach others “how to”.

Dr. Masters, head of the I.M.M. University System, has had large followings in his full time metaphysical ministry before some of these operators were even born. With the absence of a legitimate accreditation agency in the spiritual realm, background and long standing experience should be a primary consideration rather than any emphasis on meaningless so-called accreditations.

In ConclusionA metaphysical degree is only as good as the organization with which it is associated. Degrees from the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona are granted under the auspices of the International Metaphysical Ministry.

The International Metaphysical Ministry is the largest Holistic, New Thought Metaphysical Ministry in the world with successful and respected ministers, teachers, counselors, and coaches in over sixty five countries. We have graduated far more ordained metaphysical ministers than any other metaphysical denomination or ministry in the world. Our reputation, for nearly a half century, has been, and continues to be, the leader of Higher Consciousness Education in the Metaphysical field.

Our University System does not use “accreditation mills” , or so called accrediting agencies which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education because it is a deceptive practice. While others operating in the metaphysical field have chosen to use agencies with names that sound very impressive, even though by their own admission, these are not recognized accrediting agencies, we rely on our unblemished reputation of nearly half a century. In all that time, there has never been one complaint or action filed against any of the University System’s institutions or organizations.

Based on:Size, (ministers, teachers, counselors, and coaches in over sixty five countries) Success, (more ordained metaphysical ministers than any metaphysical ministry in the world) Experience, (Dr. Masters, founder of I.M.M. University System, 50 years research / teaching) Longstanding Reputation, (an unblemished history of nearly half a century) And Integrity, (we refuse to deceive the public by affiliation with an accreditation mill)

We believe that the University Of Metaphysics or the University Of Sedona is unquestionably the wisest choice for pursuing your non-secular degree and Higher Consciousness Education. @ 12:34 PM

Anonymous said...

This is why Dr. Joe Vitale's degree is not accredited:

About Accreditation

Information For International Prospective Students

The founding fathers of the Unites States Of America, in order to guarantee a republic based on religious freedom saw fit to create within the founding documents of the country, a distinct division between the government and religion. This basic precept is commonly known to most US citizens as “The Separation Of Church And State”. Simply stated, this foremost principle of religious freedom is, “the government will not become involved in matters dealing with religious beliefs, or things of a spiritual nature, and no religion will seek to involve itself in governmental affairs”.

Worldly, or secular things are the domain of the US Government, while the non-secular spiritual realm of individuals and society is off-limits. Since the International Metaphysical Ministry University System of the University Of Metaphysics and the University Of Sedona is legally recognized by the United States Federal Government as a non-secular / spiritual / metaphysical 501(c)3 organization, the US Department of Education in Washington D.C. must adhere to the founding precepts of religious freedom and refrain from comment, opinion, or intrusion.

Simply stated, the International Metaphysical Ministry University System, the University Of Metaphysics, the University Of Sedona, and degrees bestowed by these organizations are metaphysical, non-secular, spiritual, and religious in nature, and beyond the US Department of Education‘s secular realm of education which teaches things like Advanced Calculus, Micro-Biology, or Bio-Chemistry.

Information For All Prospective Students

The US Department of Education, by law, can neither praise, discredit, or accredit a non-secular institution of Higher Consciousness / Spiritual Education. Therefore we offer the following list of points for consideration by individuals when choosing an institution in which to pursue their Higher Consciousness Spiritual Education.

What is the history of the Institution / Organization? We have nearly fifty years of development in research, teaching, and awarding Ministers Diplomas and Degrees. Some others have as little as only 3 years. Dr. Paul Leon Masters, the founder, is still the active president of our University System with a history dating back nearly half a century, to 1959.

Does the Institution / Organization claim accreditation of any kind?If so, our advice is run away as fast as you can. Why? One word: Integrity! Or rather, lack thereof.

Since valid and recognized accreditation in the real sense does not exist in the spiritual / metaphysical field, some institutions / organizations try to deceive prospective students and the public by attempting to make themselves look more reputable than they really are. They try to cover up their lack of reputation and established history by affiliating with an “accreditation mill”. One has to question the intentions and integrity of an institution or organization that knowingly affiliates with an accreditation mill, or the intelligence behind the institution or organization that unknowingly affiliates with an accreditation mill.

The public is currently quite aware of the term “diploma mill” – but the term “accreditation mill” is something new and is just now beginning to come to the public’s attention. We advise prospective students to avoid any institution accredited through an accreditation mill in choosing where to study and receive a degree. You would not want your reputation to be professionally blemished as such accreditation shams, and the institutions that utilize them, are featured on the nightly news in the future.

Lastly, some metaphysical schools affiliate with an accreditation agency whose focus of professionalism is quite a stretch to include the spiritual or metaphysical. If one is not careful, their degree in metaphysics may be accredited by an agency run out of a Post Office Box that has never even bothered to obtain a business license.

Does the institution / organization have actual experience in the field?Some operators have had little or no actual experience in teaching, counseling, or ministry in the metaphysical field. So with no hands on real world experience, they have simply opened up to and try to teach others “how to”.

Dr. Masters, head of the I.M.M. University System, has had large followings in his full time metaphysical ministry before some of these operators were even born. With the absence of a legitimate accreditation agency in the spiritual realm, background and long standing experience should be a primary consideration rather than any emphasis on meaningless so-called accreditations.

In ConclusionA metaphysical degree is only as good as the organization with which it is associated. Degrees from the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona are granted under the auspices of the International Metaphysical Ministry.

The International Metaphysical Ministry is the largest Holistic, New Thought Metaphysical Ministry in the world with successful and respected ministers, teachers, counselors, and coaches in over sixty five countries. We have graduated far more ordained metaphysical ministers than any other metaphysical denomination or ministry in the world. Our reputation, for nearly a half century, has been, and continues to be, the leader of Higher Consciousness Education in the Metaphysical field.

Our University System does not use “accreditation mills” , or so called accrediting agencies which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education because it is a deceptive practice. While others operating in the metaphysical field have chosen to use agencies with names that sound very impressive, even though by their own admission, these are not recognized accrediting agencies, we rely on our unblemished reputation of nearly half a century. In all that time, there has never been one complaint or action filed against any of the University System’s institutions or organizations.

Based on:Size, (ministers, teachers, counselors, and coaches in over sixty five countries) Success, (more ordained metaphysical ministers than any metaphysical ministry in the world) Experience, (Dr. Masters, founder of I.M.M. University System, 50 years research / teaching) Longstanding Reputation, (an unblemished history of nearly half a century) And Integrity, (we refuse to deceive the public by affiliation with an accreditation mill)

We believe that the University Of Metaphysics or the University Of Sedona is unquestionably the wisest choice for pursuing your non-secular degree and Higher Consciousness Education. @ 12:36 PM

Expected rationalizations from individuals with vested interests aside, the "degrees" conferred by these institutions are not recognized as having met the minimum academic standards established by the state of Texas, where Joe resides and does business, and claiming to hold such "degrees" in promoting one's business is illegal.

Naturally, one is free to discount the necessity of meeting state standards, claiming that such standards are inapplicable in the field of metaphysics. Doing so bears the question as to why one would even want such a degree, if the body that has established the standards is itself irrelevant.

Bottom line is that calling one's self a doctor when one has failed to meet accepted standards of requisite efforts for such a title is patently deceptive. Perhaps the "universities" could come up with their own more accurate titles, rather than attempt to fool the public by co-opting titles which the vast majority understands as representing completion of specific academic achievements. @ 1:06 PM

Just wondering about RevRon and his comments. I don't know what to believe about University of Sedona and their degrees, but at the same time, he is putting down someone that has a doctorate from a legal education (even if it is suspect), and therefore should be given some respect. Della Reese is supposed to have graduated from the same school. Also, there are many "doctors" that have not received their academic degree, but instead hold an honorary degree. I do not think that an honorary degree is any better, but they use it all of the time for business. No matter where they get the degree, they did not earn it for their academic acheivements. To me that is worse than at the university of sedona where at least you have to turn in papers and do a thesis. @ 8:40 AM

To RevRon and other detractors about Dr. Vitale's credentials. In this country, educational religious organizations like the IMM, have the legal power to confer non secular degrees. Say what you will about Dr. Vitale's business philosophy or practices, but please don't stoop so low as to take "cheap shots" about his doctorate or the school he attended. The state of Texas cannot enforce their law against people who obtained their degree from institutions like Sedona because of it's religious nature. Joe Vitale has as much right to the title of Doctor as someone who got a PhD from a traditional university. Get a clue please! @ 7:20 AM

Anonymous said...

What people need to understand is that if someone has a D. Div. degree, that is a spiritual degree conferred upon them by a spiritual-based university. Those who have D. Div. degrees make no claim to having an accredited degree, however, it does not mean that they did not work for it. There are many metaphysical schools where you need to complete plenty of coursework and write a dissertation to complete your degree, and be ordained. I have no idea what degrees Vitale was claiming to have, but people might want to think twice before insulting spiritual people who may have worked hard to gain a D. Div. degree similar to Vitale. Just because a degree is not accredited, does not mean spiritual work was not done to gain a Divinity degree. Thanks. @ 8:59 PM

There are so many fantastic web designers out there that share their work with the rest of us...The article of this blog very informative and useful also.It resolves many problems of mine.I loved it.thanks for this marvelous article................... get academic@ 3:57 AM

What purpose has the anger served in your blogs? Who's been helped by these paragraphs? Why do you care so much? It's not apparent that anyone here has done their homework on what a PhD in Metaphysics is about. It's spiritual, non-secular! Joe Vitale doesn't claim to have a degree from a secular school nor does he claim to be a guru or to know it all. He isn't breaking any laws. He isn't actively seeking to mislead anyone with a PhD in Metaphysics. In fact, it's spelled out for all to see. (Unless you mislead yourselves because you haven't done research on your own time) And you and I know that we would ignore/delete/omit comments too if they were off topic. Save your energy or save it for another forum, or take legal action if you feel justified as to speak out authoritatively against this guy. This guy has helped people, otherwise he wouldn't be so successful; can you say that you've helped strangers too? And he has every right to monetary gain, just like the rest of us. @ 3:18 PM

Anonymous said...

I believe Joe Vitale has a Msc.D. Stands for, doctorate in metaphysical science. This is a registered trade marked degree of the University of Metaphysics. I know because that is where I earned mine. Once I completed the program my life changed for the better. I believe you can find and verify Dr. Vitale's back ground through Wickapedia. My religious\spiritual training initially started in my first year of Catholic School and went on for 12 years. Lot of Catholic school are quasi seminary in nature. I then studied with the J.W.'s and LDS. You also have to live the talk with results following. This is not an academic degree, but definitely is earned and should be considered so, especially if one is truly called to the vocational calling of the ministry. Dr. Vitale was homeless for sometime and if he was taken through the path of the twisted hardship he claims and came out victorious, then he should be deserving of his due. There's a lot more to titles than some recognized qualifying body having the say who gets this and who gets that. No one seems to ask, "how does your college football players get theirs?" O.K., theirs is accredited. But some of these players cannot even write a report. There's also a lots of politics in traditional academia and people would be shocked on who finishes and who is left out of the loop when it comes to finally receiving a Ph.D. You are at the mercies of your proffs and if there's one that doesn't like you for some quirky reason or other. Watch out! Please lets be careful when it comes to judging someone metaphysical credentials. @ 3:30 AM

Anonymous said...

I have yet to read anything written by Joe that isn't found in multiple other sources and simply repackaged into yet another hyped up book selling the "sizzle" instead of the actual "steak". Who doesn't want to be rich and abundant? But to become rich and abundant through the business of selling abundance (but with no really practical tools) isn't exactly a great role model.

I've met Joe and his sports car that he so loves to brag about in workshops and live in his home town. Calling him "Doctor" demeans the title and is nothing but a way to try to add credence to shaky credentials. The entire point of all of it is selling, selling, selling. If I can get my book raved about on a thousand other web sites by raving about whatever they have on their sites then pretty soon the search engines return nothing on the top pages except positive reviews and comments because that was the entire point of the marketing strategy. It's a giant agreement to hype each's other's wares no matter how bad they may be.

Hey, it's your money and I know Joe would love to have it because he knew the secret of extracting it from you through selling you on how you can do it too, but unfortunately your money is now gone and you could waste years on wishing instead of taking action.

A "doctorate" from some Sedona metaphysical institute? No masters. No bachelor. No actual accredited college degree of any sort and he wants us to call him "Doctor"? That's all I need to know about how lame this all is. @ 9:45 AM

Anonymous said...

So let's compare "Doctorates", shall we?

A Phd or a MD in any field requires at least a Bachelor's degree (usually at least 4 years of intensive study, a minimum of 120 hours of credit). After that there is the Masters degree requiring at least one year and in most cases two further years. After that a Phd another year or two. A Medical Doctor takes a huge amount of effort and requires even more. Usually at least 8 years of intensive work. Also, just "doing the work" isn't enough for a degree in any of this.

For example, let's pick a degree in Social Work from a university near Jo, The University of Texas in Austin. 232 credit hours needed with over 1500 hours of practical field work required and research projects.

Now let's look at "Doctor Joe" and his mail order home study Doctorate degree and you be the judge of why some might object to him using this title, no matter what the non-accredited granting organization might say. No need for all that intensive study and messy field work or intensely reviewed research. No need to spend years and thousand of dollars on serious study. Just three easy steps and you are an instant Doctor:

Joe Vitale's "Doctorate" from the University of Sedona study at home course.

http://www.universityofsedona.com/prospectus/format-off-campus.htm

THREE STEPS TO EARN YOUR DOCTORAL DEGREE IN METAPHYSICS

FIRST STEP – APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS:

Ordained Minister/Practitioner status is accomplished by taking weekly exams on the 48 curriculum subjects. The exams are to be mailed in together after completion of all the lessons. A score of 80% is required for passing. With 48 lessons in all, covering a twenty-six week period, the average would be close to two lessons per week. Approximate time needed to study lessons and answerExam questions is about two hours weekly. Upon completion of the requirements of the first 26 weeks, your Ministerial/Practitioner status is established and you are awarded your ordained minister’s diploma and a practitioner’s diploma in Metaphysics. At the same time, you are awarded a bachelors degree in Metaphysics. These degrees and diplomas are awarded by mail unless you choose to participate in a formal cap and gown ceremony, which is held periodically.

SECOND STEP – APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS:

Establishment of Masters degree level of competency, leading to professional work with the public. The first six weeks of this second step period are devoted to the master degree lessons, 18 in all, at the rate of three lessons per week, requiring approximately three hours weekly in study time. A score of at least 80% is required for passing. The balance of this 3-month period would be devoted to writing a masters thesis. The thesis must be a minimum of 6,000 words, based on a subject of your choice from the material covered in the master level lessons. Upon completion of the thesis, mail in the thesis and the master level exams together at the same time. Upon meeting the requirements, you will be awarded a masters degree in Metaphysics by mail unless you choose to receive it in person at one of our formal graduation ceremonies.

THIRD STEP – APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS:

The final quarter of your one-year program consists of writing a doctoral dissertation of a minimum of 10,000 words on any metaphysical subject you may choose, following closely the Doctoral dissertation Outline. This outline will be sent to you upon completion of your master’s degree work. The doctoral dissertation is to be submitted at the conclusion of the final three months of your one-year Doctoral Degree Program. Upon review and acceptance of your dissertation, you will be awarded your doctoral degree. Again, this will be done by mail unless you opt to participate in a formal graduation ceremony that takes place periodically. @ 10:18 AM

Anonymous said...

With a minium of 15 hours of class time needed to achieve 1 credit at a normal university (not counting homework), this works out to be about 3,480 hours of work for a Phd (232 credits) NOT COUNTING study, research and thesis preparation.

Joe's home study course works out (according to the requirements posted on their site) to be 84 hours of "class time" (actually it's homework hours, but let's overlook that even though we didn't count any homework hours above). This is equivalent to 5.6 credits, so not even 1/2 of a semester in college.

So.....we are supposed to call him Doctor Vitale? I guess the secret is to simply pass one's self off as an expert and market dreams. @ 10:35 AM

Anonymous said...

For one of his Phd's (I don't recall which one) Joe once provided copies of his "thesis". Maybe it was his way of bragging. It was a report (around 10 pages) that might be written in high school or even by a bright grade schooler. Not even a college level paper.

If someone can find his thesis and provide a link here, then everyone can decide for themselves what they think of his Phd.

Of course his Phd's are from diploma mills when compared to an accredited university. Since he flaunts his Doctor title so much I am surprised that no one has publicly challenged him during his many interviews. @ 8:28 AM

Wow. Instead of going out in the world and making something of yourselves, you all sit on your computers and bash someone who has done the work. He was homeless and he turned his life around. He might not have the personality or morals and values that you judgmental people have decided he should have, but clearly he is not spreading hate. Stop judging others. If you don't like him, block him from your consciousness. But all of this judgement and hatefulness is far worse than anything you have accused him of.

I Neither like nor dislike him, btw. I think he is another person who has found a way that works for him, and he tries to share it with others. As far as making money, sounds like you're jealous. Too bad you haven't bothered to market anything.

I am not a friend, fan, or supporter of Dr Vitale. But as someone studying for a Spiritual "unaccredited" degree, I can tell you I have done a lot more than the "84 hours" of book work you seem hung up on. @ 3:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Who gives a rats behind what kind of "Doctor" Joe is, does it make the information he shares any less valuable whether or not he can legally put a few letters before or after his name?

You people that fester on this issue are so missing the point. He must be chuckling at your comments. Listen to what he teaches, put it to use.

Hell, anyone can go online and get a legal "doctor" title. And Joe isn't pretending to be something he is not.

His area of teaching is covered by metaphysics. Look it up, he doesn't need any title to be an authority on that subject.

The man tells you about his life, and what he has learned along the way, and it has value.

So maybe stop all the pissing contests...get over it, and move on.

You can stagnate in your frustration over something that really shouldn't bother you at all, or you can move forward in life.

Listen to the wisdom and learn from the experienced knowledge, put it to good use in your own life...that is the intent.

or don't.

You may even try taking the same courses in metaphysics yourself. I challenge you to, and see if you are not a better person for it at conclusion.

See then if you are not excited to share what you have learned, to better the world.

Then see if you think there is any value in bickering about things that really do not matter, and are nothing more than a waste of valuable time.

Nobody is being fleeced. The value is in the teachings, not in the title.

I just believe we make mistakes and mistakes can build or destroy us, life has more to offer, metaphysics is real to some of us and has saved some of us from problems we were not responsible for, I was ordained to serve from birth and I will serve , Joe is an authority in a subject and unlike some people who studied philosophy and don't believe in metaphysics and some psychologists who don't believe in dreams yet they teach about them. Joe is doing a good job. Accredited institutions recycle crap that you know and charge you, I have seen so called uneducated people making more money than their educated counterparts, wake up and serve the world with your talents and get rewarded for it.amen @ 2:22 AM

Greetings:My name is AJ. Professionally I am known as Dr. AJ Eakin, Msc.D., Ph.D., D.Div.I first enrolled in the Doctoral degree program with the University of Metaphysics well over 20 years ago. This was long before the internet. Now days there are dozens if not hundreds of religious seminary university systems offering home study degree programs in metaphysics, esoteric studies, parapsychology, etc. But when I first started the only other popular option were the degrees offered by the Universal Life Church.

The ULC offers numerous degrees, all of which are 100% legal and legit. Even to this very day ANYONE can get a Ph.D. in Religion. All that's required is a $100 donation and the successful passing of an exam comprised of 100 true/false questions. This degree actually requires a test but they also offer doctorates in other subjects that one can obtain for as little as $30.00.

My point is that there's very little grounds for criticism and debate with regards to the legitimacy of any type of religious degree because the FACT of the matter is that if an institution is qualified as a school of higher learning operating as a seminary offering NON-SECULAR degrees then they are absolutely legit.

I will be the first to tell anyone that it is a world where "buyer beware" should be tattooed in the air because when it comes time for people using religious degrees as a means for giving credibility to their professional work.., there are, indeed, a lot of shady people.

But that's why the University of Metaphysics and Sedona are held in such high esteem. Don't let the "earn your Doctorate in a year" thing fool you because it's NOT that simple. They advertise that but it's with the assumption that students already possess college level writing and research skills.

It sounds like total easy streak which it is for the most part. But what separates the egoic goofs from those who are TRULY serious about demonstrating competency is with the Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation. That's where they get you! Also, it's only after you've submitted your final draft that you find out whether or not you'll be required to offer a verbal defense. I sat on the phone for nearly 12 hours over a 4 day period doing nothing but answering questions about my written work.

The staff are the sweetest and most helpful people but when it comes time for facing the review committee.., they are like the Vulturi from the Twilight Movies. They don't give second chances.

But as grueling as it was.., I'm glad because I walked away from that experience holding my head up high. I am a Metaphysical Doctor who possesses advanced knowledge and experience and if I can't help someone then I do what a medical doctor would do by referring a client to someone who can.

Now, on the issue of "accreditation." This is a good thing to have for secular degree programs but NOT for religious degree programs. Here's why. First of all, there's no such thing as an "accredited" degree. Accreditation is not about the degree but rather, it has to do with the institute that granted it. You earn your degree from an accredited school.

The whole purpose of accreditation comes down to one thing.., "continuity." Basically, accreditation is meant to ensure that all schools, on every grade level, meet certain standards. A student can start at any grade level in one state and then move to another state and continue from where they left off without having to repeat anything. It's organized as education should be.

With religious degrees, state recognized accreditation would require that churches/seminaries adhere to the same standards as state regulated institutions. This would be unconstitutional. The only exception to this are private schools who choose to maintain their religious affiliations while applying for state recognized accreditation. So long as they meet the set standards they can offer secular education in conjunction with religious indoctrination.